Sharing the Spirit of Christmas Year-Round

Check up on Santa at Christmas in July

Susan, Jeremy and I went on an adventure to the HoCoFairgrounds, and the results were great! Our chief accomplishment was a “keep forever” photo with Santa and Mrs Claus. Having attended many Christmas events, I can say that Jeremy and I are sometimes “Santa snobs,” and this team was the real deal. Unlike the fanfare he receives in November and December, it’s tough hanging out at a summer gig–even with air conditioning–but Santa and his wife were perfectly relaxed and delightfully ready to chat.

In addition, we networked and shopped for several hours. This including a long-ish conversation with a woman named Glorious! Her display included sewn items that make great gifts. The dog mats that Susan and I purchased didn’t make it wrapping paper, though. We just gave them to ourselves.

Jeremy was a little more serious-minded; he shopped more methodically and came away with several surprises for friends and family.

We talked for a while to local business owner Traci from Blooms by Bennetta. She makes beautiful flowers from wood. You have to see them. I had no idea the kinds of colors and shapes that she can make–they look real and last forever.

We tasted some great horseradish sauces by Moore’s Sauces by Leslie. Here’s another moment where you think–horseradish sauce? One of them was combined with Old Bay. The husband and wife team have the best logo–“She’s hot. He’s Spicy: Taste the Passion!”–and the best relationship.

One of the stalls where we spent a lot of time was “Buy the Sea.” The mother/daughter team creates beautiful images (many are crabs) with sea glass.

I likedthe Grinch display, too–this Grinch is by Crafty Crab. We will see Clair again at Timonium #FOTMD in November.

Overall, the event was not as crowded as expected. I guess it’s difficult to attract Christmas shoppers in July on a perfectly beautiful weekend, but we had fun. Shout out to Rachel Hare (@geekcrafter7) for creating the Instagram event that let me use know what was happening!